In Heartless Jim Sturgess Makes a Deal With the Devil

Heartless is multimedia artist Philip Ridleys third feature film, and his first since 1995; in the interim, hes been busy with plays and novels, many geared to young audiences. Though well into manhood, Heartlesss protagonist, Jamie (Jim Sturgess), is hung up on feelings of irreconcilable differences and alienation usually associated with adolescent confusion. Still living with his mum, Jamies held back from life by mortification at the merlot-colored birthmark covering the left side of his face. Its just as well, given what he sees on the graffiti-covered streets of East End dungeon London, infested by thugs whose hoodies concealcan this really be?fang-bristling salamander faces. In time, Jamie meets their master, an unsavory fellow named Papa B (Joseph Mawle), who offers the lad a dirty dealthat B very probably stands for Beelzebubtrading cosmetic favors for human sacrifice. With erratic success, Heartless tries a number of different veinsurban fairy tale with There was no magic, it was you all along twist, supernatural family dramabut its on firmest footing as a macabre comedy, with the too-brief appearances of Eddie Marsans pitbull-faced Cockney devil and Jamies first victim, a preening rockabilly hustler who negotiates for the price of a kebab and a Diet Coke before being handed over to Papa B.